1

Sea Chanteys and Other Nautical Songs

Alabama ................................................. 2 Six Feet of Mud (Cyril Tawney) .......... 12
All For Me Grog .................................... 2 South Australia ..................................... 12
Away, Rio!.............................................. 2 Spanish Ladies ...................................... 12
Blow the Man Down .............................. 2 Strike the Bell ....................................... 13
Boston Harbor ........................................ 3 Sugar in the Hold Below ...................... 13
Bully in the Alley ................................... 3 Twiddles (Janie Meneely) .................... 13
Congo River ........................................... 3 Whiskey, O, Johnny, O ......................... 14
The Dead Horse ..................................... 4 Wild Rover ........................................... 14
The Derby Ram ...................................... 4 Credits: ................................................. 14
Donkey Riding ....................................... 4 Light From The Lighthouse .................15
Essequibo River ..................................... 5 The Diamond .......................................15
Fathom The Bowl .................................. 5 Whiskey in the Jar ................................16
General Taylor........................................ 5 Come for to Sing ..................................16
Get Up Jack, John Sit Down .................. 5 Rosabella ..............................................17
Hangin' Johnny ...................................... 6 Blowed and Torn ..................................17
Haul Away Joe ....................................... 6 We're Here to Drink the Whiskey ..18 & 20
High Barbary .......................................... 6 Molly Malone .......................................18
A Hundred Years Ago ............................ 7 Wild Mountain Thyme .........................18
John Kanaka-naka .................................. 7 Lock Lomond .......................................19
Leave Her Johnny .................................. 7 I'm A Rover ..........................................19
Liverpool Judies ..................................... 8 Mist Covered Mountains of Home ......20
The Mermaid .......................................... 8 Parting Glass ........................................20
New York Girls ...................................... 8 Health to the Company ........................21
Paddy Doyle’s Boots .............................. 9 Last Skipjack .......................................21
Paddy Lay Back ..................................... 9 The Mingalay Boat Song .....................21
Pleasant and Delightful .......................... 9 One for the Morning Glory ..................21
Pump Me Boys ..................................... 10 Sailor's Hymn ......................................22
Roll the Old Chariot Along .................. 10 The Saucy Roseabella ..........................22
Rolling Down to Old Maui .................. 10 Sloop John B ........................................22
Sailor’s Prayer (Tom Lewis) ................... 11 Yankee Doodle (1812 Version) ...........22
Sam's Gone Away ................................. 11
The Shanghaied Dredger ...................... 11
2
Alabama Away, Rio!
Oh, the Alabama's keel was laid Roll Alabama, roll For we're bound for the Rio Grande!
She was built in the yard of Jonathan Laird And it’s away, Rio! Aye, Rio!
Oh, roll Alabama, roll So fare thee well my pretty young girls
For we're bound for the Rio Grande!
Away down the Mersey she rolled one day
And across the "Western" she ploughed her way The anchor is weighed and the sails they are set, Away, Rio!
The gals we are leaving we'll never forget,
With British guns, oh, she was stocked
She sailed from Fayal, in Cherbourg she docked So it's pack up your donkey and get under way,
The girls we are leaving can take our half pay.
To fight the North Semmes did employ
Any method to kill and destroy We’re heading our ship out over the bar
We’re charting our course by the bright Southern Star
But off Cherbourg the Kearsage lay tight
Awaiting was Winslow to start a good fight Sing good bye to Nellie and good bye to Sue
And you who are listening, good bye to you
Outside the three mile limit they fought
And Semmes escaped on a fine British yacht Heave only one pawl, then 'vast heavin', belay!
Heave steady, because we say farewell today.
The Kearsage won - Alabama so brave
Sank to the bottom of a watery grave
Blow the Man Down
All For Me Grog I'm a blue water sailor just back from Hong Kong
And it's all for me grog, Me noggin, noggin grog, Way, hey, blow the man down
All gone for beer and tobacco, If you give me some whiskey I'll sing you a song
For I spent all me tin on the lassies, drinking gin, Give me some time to blow the man down
And across the Western Ocean I must wander.
As I was a-walkin' down Paradise Street
And where are me shoes, Me noggin, noggin shoes? A dashing young damsel I chanced for to meet
All gone for beer and tobacco,
For the soles is all wore out, And the tops is knocked about, She was round in the counter and bluff in the bow
And the heels is looking out for better weather! So I took in all sail and cried, "Way enough now."

And where is me shirt, Me noggin, noggin shirt? I hailed her in English and I hailed her all round
For the buttons all wore out, And the cuffs is knocked about, I hauled up alongside and asked where she was bound
And the tails is looking out for better weather!
She said to me, "Sir, will you stand a treat?"
And where is me pants ,Me noggin, noggin pants? "Delighted," says I, "For a charmer so sweet."
For the knees is all wore out And the seat is knocked about,
And my arse is looking out for better weather! So I tailed her my flipper and took her in tow
And yard-arm to yard-arm away we did go
And what of me bed, Me noggin, noggin bed?
For I lent it to a whore, Now the mattress is all tore, It was up in her quarters she piped me aboard
And the springs is looking out for better weather! And there on her bed I cut loose with my sword

Ah, but just as my cutter was forging ahead

She shouted, "My husband!" and jumped out of bed
 3
He was seven feet tall, had a chest like a horse Bully in the Alley
And straight for my jawbone he plotted his course
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley,
He loosened my rigging, he kicked in my stays Way, hey, bully in the alley!
I flew down the stairs like a ship on the ways Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley,
Bully down in Shnbone al!
I chanced on a packet that happened on by
And when I awoke I was bound for Shanghai Well, Sally is the girl down that I love dearly,
Way, hey, bully in the alley!
So come all you young laddies that follow the sea Sally is the girl that I spliced nearly.
Don't never take heed of what pretty girls say. Bully down in shinbone al!

For seven long years I courted Sally,

Boston Harbor All she did was dilly-dally.
From Boston harbor we set sail
And the wind was blowin' the devil of a gale Sally she’s a Badian beauty!
With the ring-tail set all about the mizzen peak She’s a girl what know her duty
And the dolphin striker plowin' up the deep
I'll leave Sal and I'll become a sailor,
With a big bow wow, tow row row I'll leave Sal and ship aboard a whaler.
Fal dee rall dee di do day.
When I get back, I’ll mary Sally!
Then up steps the skipper from down below We’ll have kids and mark ‘em by the tally!
And he looks aloft, boys, and he looks alow
And he looks alow and he looks aloft Congo River
And it's tighten up your ropes, boys, fore and aft.
Was you never down the Congo River,
Then it's down to his cabin he quickly falls Blow, boys, blow;
To his poor old steward then he bawls Where the fever makes the white man shiver,
"Fix me a glass that will make me cough Blow, me bully boys, blow.
'Cause it's better weather here than it is up aloft."
Yonder comes a Yankee packet
While it's we poor seamen that are up on the decks She fires her guns, don't you hear the racket
With the blasted rain falling down our necks
And not a drop of grog will he afford Oh, how do you know she's a Yankee clipper?
For he damns our eyes with every other word. Why, her masts and yards, they shine like silver

Now there's just one thing we all do crave Oh, what do you think the crew eats for dinner?
That he will find a watery grave Oh, a monkey's arse and a sandfly's liver
We will heave him down into some dark hole
Where the sharks'll have his body and the Devil have his soul. And who do you think is the skipper of her?
Oh, a blackjack slave, the bowery runner
Now the old bugger is dead and gone
And damn his eyes, he's left a son And what do you think they get for supper?
And if to us he doesn't prove frank Oh, a punch in the mouth and a roll in the scuppers
We'll very soon make him walk the plank.
4
The Dead Horse
The butcher who killed this ram, sir, was up to his knees in blood
A poor old man came riding by And the boy who told the tale, sir, was carried away with the
And we say so, and we hope so flood
They say old man your horse will die,
Oh, poor old horse. The crew of the Resolution are handsome, strong and brave,
The smartest lot of sailors that ever sailed over the wave!
For thirty days I've ridden him,
And when he dies we'll tan his skin,
Donkey Riding
And if he lives, I'll ride him again, Way Hey and away we go Donkey riding, donkey riding
I'll ride him with a tighter rein Way Hey and away we go Riding on a donkey.

We'll use the hair of his tail to sew our sails Were you ever in Quebec Stowin' timber on the deck?
And the iron of his shoe to make deck nails Where ye'd break yer bleedin' neck
Riding on a donkey!
We'll hoist him up to the fore yard-arm
Where he won't do sailors any harm Were you ever off the Horn Where it's always fine and warm?
Where's there's a lion and a unicorn
We'll drop him down with a long, long roll Riding on a donkey.
Where the sharks will have his body and the Devil take his
soul. Wuz ye ever down Mobile Bay Screwin' cotton all the day?
A dollar a day is a white man's pay, Ridin' on a donkey.
It's up aloft the horse must go,
We'll hoist him up and bury him low. Were you ever in Cardiff Bay Where the folks all shout,
"Hooray!"?
He’s dead as a nail in the lamproom door "Here comes Johnny with his six months pay!” Riding on a
He’s dead as a nail, the son of a whore. donkey."

The Derby Ram Were you ever in Vallipo Where the gals put on a show?
Wriggle their arse with a roll and go Riding on a donkey.
As I was going to Derby, 'twas on a market day
I met the finest ram, sirs, that ever was fed upon hay Were you ever in Timbucktoo Where the gals are black and
That's a lie, that's a lie blue?
That's a lie, a lie, a lie! And they wriggle their arses, too Riding on a donkey.

This ram and I got drunk, sir, as drunk as drunk could be, Wuz ye ever in Canton Where the men wear pigtails long,
And when we sobered up, sir, we were far away out on the And the gals play hong-ki-kong? Riding on a donkey.
sea.
Wuz ye ever in Mirramashee Where ye tie up to a tree,
This wonderful old ram, sir, was playful as a kid; An' the skeeters do bite ye? Riding on a donkey.
He swallowed the captain's spyglass along with the bo'sun's
fid. Wuz ye ever on the Broomielaw Where the Yanks are all the go,
An' the boys dance heel an' toe? Riding on a donkey.
One morning on the poop, sir, before eight bells was rung,
He grabbed the captain's sextant and took a shot at the sun. Wuz ye ever in London Town, where the king he does come down
And he wears a golden crown Riding on a donkey.
One night 'twas wet and rough, sir, and the wind was blowing
keen Wuz ye ever in Baltimore, dancin’ on that sandy floor,
He borrowed my suit of oilskins and he took nmy trick at the Where them girls the ask for more, Riding on a donkey
wheel
 5
Yes I’ve been to Baltimore, Them Dundalk girls I do adore General Taylor
With their beehive hair and their “Yeah, Hon, Sure!”
Riding on a donkey. To me way, hey, Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
Way, hey, Stormy
Essequibo River Carry him to his burying ground
Essequibo River is the Queen of rivers all
Buddy tanna na, we are somebody O! General Taylor died long ago
Essequibo River is the Queen of rivers all Walk him along, John, Carry him along
Buddy tanna na, we are somebody O! He's gone to where the winds don't blow
Carry him to his burying ground
Somebody O! Me Johnny, somebody O!
Buddy tanna na, we are somebody O! We dug his grave with a silver spade
Somebody O! Me Johnny, somebody O! His shroud of the finest silk was made
Buddy tanna na, we are somebody O!
We lowered him down on a golden chain
Essequibo Captain is the King of captains all On every link we carved his name
Essequibo Bos'un is the King of Bos'uns all
Essequibo Sailors is the Chief of Sailors all I wish I was old Stormy's son
Essequibo Sallies is the Queen of Sallies all I'd build me a ship of ten thousand ton
Essequibo Maidens is the Queen of Maidens all
I'd load her down with ale and rum
Fathom The Bowl And every shellback should have some

Come all you bold heroes; give ear to my song A tot of rum for every man
I’ll sing in the praise of good brandy and rum And a bottle full for the shanty man
There’s a clear fountain, near England shall flow

Give me the punch ladle I’ll fathom the bowl.

Get Up Jack, John Sit Down
I’ll fathom the bowl; I’ll fathom the bowl Oh, the ships will come and the ships will go,
Give me the punch ladle I’ll fathom the bowl. As long as waves do roll
The sailor lad, likewise his dad,
From France we do get brandy, from Jamaica comes rum He loves the flowing bowl:
While sweet oranges and lemons from Portugal come A lass ashore we do adore,
Strong beer and good cider, o’er England shall flow One that is plump and round, round, round.
When the money is gone, it's the same old song,
My wife she comes in, when I sit at my ease Get up, Jack! John, sit down!
She scolds and she grumbles, and she does as she please
She may scold and she may grumble till her face is black as Come along, come along, me jolly brave boys,
coal There's lots more grog in the jar.
-or- We'll plough the briny ocean
My wife she is a mermaid what lives in the sea, With the jolly roving tar.
She comes up at night, to make love to me
My wife she is a mermaid, like the sea her hips roll! [I] go and take a trip in a man-o'-war To China or Japan,
(Thanks Mishka!)
In Asia, there are ladies fair Who love the sailorman.
When Jack and Joe palavers, 0,
My father, he lies in the depth of the sea And buy the girls a gown, gown, gown.
With stones at his feet, what matters for he? When the money is gone it's the same old song,
Here’s a cask of good cider, to pray for his soul Get up, Jack! John, sit down!

When Jack is ashore he beats his way

6
Towards some old boarding-house: Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
They’ll welcomed him in with rum and gin,
And he's fed with pork and scouse: Well, first I had an Irish gal, her name was Kitty Brannigan;
For he'll lend and spend and never offend She stole me boots, she stole me clothes, she pinched me plate
Til he lays drunk on the ground, ground, ground and pannikin.
When his money is gone it's the same old song:
Get up, Jack! John, sit down! And then I got a German girl, but she was fat and lazy,
And then I got a Yankee girl, she damn near drove me crazy.
When Jack gets old and weatherbeat, Too old to roustabout,
In some rum-shop they'll let him stop, At 8 bells he's turned King Louis was the king of France before the revolution.
out. And then he got his head chopped off it spoiled his constitution.
He’ll raise his eyes up to the skies,
“I'll soon be homeward bound, bound, bound." Saint Patrick was a gentleman. He came from decent people.
When my money is gone it's the same old song: He built a church in Dublin town and on it put a steeple.
Get up, Jack! John, sit down!
Once I was in Ireland a'digging turf and taties.
Hangin' Johnny But now I'm on a Yankee ship a'hauling on the braces.

They calls me hangin' Johnny, You call yerself a second mate, an' cannot tie a bowline;
Away, boys, away! You cannot even stand up straight when the packet she's a
They says I hang for money! rollin'.
So hang, boys, hang!

They says I hanged me mother / Me sisters and me brothers

High Barbary
They says I hanged me granny / I strung her up so canny There were two lofty ships from old England came
They says I hung a copper / I gave him the long dropper Blow high, blow low and so sail we
I'd hang the mates and skippers / I'd hang 'em by their One was the Prince of Luther the other Prince of Wales
flippers All a-cruisin' down the coast of High Barbary
A rope, a beam, a ladder / I'll hang ye all together
Hang `em from the yardarm / Hang the sea and buy a "Aloft there, aloft there" our jolly bosun cried
pigfarm Blow high, blow low and so sail we
They say I hang for money / Hangin' ain't bloody funny "Look ahead, look astern, look to weather an' a-lee"
They calls me hangin' Johnny / Ain't never hanged nobody All a-cruisin' down the coast of High Barbary

"There's naught upon the stern, sir there's naught upon our lee
Haul Away Joe But there's a lofty ship to wind'ard an' she's sailin' fast and free"
Way haul away, we're bound for better weather.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe. "Oh hail her, oh hail her" our gallant captain cried
Way haul away, we're bound away together. "Are you a man-o-war or a privateer?" cried he
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
"Oh, I'm not a man-o-war nor privateer," said he
Oh, when I was a little boy me mother often told me; "But I am salt sea pirate all a-looking for me fee"
Way, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie, Oh.
That if I did not kiss the girls me lips would grow all moldy. For Broadside, for broadside a long time we lay
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe. 'Til at last the Prince of Luther shot the pirate's mast away
I sailed the seas for seven years not knowin' what I was
missin'; "Oh quarter, oh quarter" those pirates they did cry
Way, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie, Oh. But the quarter that we gave them was we sank 'em in the sea
Then I trimmed my sails before the gales and started in a-
kissin'.
 7
A Hundred Years Ago We wish to Christ we'd never been born!

Oh, a hundred years on the Eastern Shore Oh haul, oh haul, oh haul away,
Oh, yea, oh! Oh haul away, an' make yer pay
A hundred years on the Eastern Shore
A hundred years ago!
Leave Her Johnny
Ol' Bully John from Baltimore Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
I knew him well, on the Eastern shore Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
For the voyage is done an' the winds don't blow,
Ol' Bully John was the boy for me An’ it’s time for us to leave her!
A bully on shore and a bucko at sea
O the times are hard and the wages low,
Ol' Bully John I knew him well Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
But now he'd dead and gone to hell. I think it's time for us to go!
An’ it’s time for us to leave her!
He's as dead as a nail on the lamp room floor
He's as dead as a nail that son of a whore O I thought I heard the old man say,
Tomorrow ye will get your pay!
They used to think that pigs could fly
Have you ever heard such a silly lie? It's rotten beef an' weev'ly bread,
It's pump or drown the old man said.
They thought the world was square and flat
Don't tell old Chris Columbo that! The wind was foul an' the sea ran high,
She shipped it green an' none went by.
They say that mermaids was no yarn
In Baltimore they've a lot to l'arn We'd be better off in a nice clean gaol,
With all night in an' plenty o' ale!
They hung a man for making steam
Throwed his body into the stream The mate was a bucko an' the old man a turk,
The bosun was a beggar with the middle name ‘o work!
Oh a hundred years is a very long time
Oh a hundred years is a very long time It's growl yer may an' go yer must,
It matters not whether yer last or furst!
John Kanaka-naka
The cook's a drunk, he likes to booze,
I heard, I heard, the old man say, 'tween him an' the mate there's little to choose!
John Kanaka-naka tu-lai-ay!
Today, today is a holiday, I hate to sail on this rotten tub,
John Kanaka-naka tu-lai-ay! No grog allowed and rotten grub!

Tu-lai-ay, Oh! Tu-lai-ay! Now I thought I hear the old man say,
John Kanaka-naka tu-lai-ay! Just one more pull an' then belay.

We'll work tomorrow, but no work today,

We'll work tomorrow, but no work today.

We're bound away for 'Frisco Bay,

We're bound away at the break of day.

We're bound away around Cape Horn,

8
Liverpool Judies
Then up spoke the captain of our gallant ship
When I was a youngster I sailed with the rest And a fine old man was he!
On a Liverpool packet bound out for the West. This sweet mermaid has warned us of our doom;
We anchored one day in the harbor of Cork, We shall sink to the bottom of the sea!"
Then we put out for the port of New York.
Then up spoke the mate of our gallant ship,
And it's row, row bullies, row, And a fine spoken man was he!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow Said "I have a wife in Brooklyn by the sea,
And tonight a widow she will be!"
For forty two days we was hungry and sore.
Oh, the winds was again'us, the gales, they did roar. Then up spoke the cabin-boy of our gallant ship,
But off Battery Point we did anchor at last And a brave young lad was he!
With our jib'boom hove to and the canvas all fast. Said "I have a sweetheart in Salem by the sea,
And tonight she'll be weepin' there for me!"
The boardinghouse masters was off in a trice
A'shouting and promising all that was nice, Then up spoke the cook of our gallant ship,
And one fat old crimp took a fancy to me. And a crazy old butcher was he!
Says he, "You're a fool, lad, to follow the sea." Said "I care much more for my pots and my pans
Than I do for the bottom of the sea!"
Says he, "There's a job as is waiting for you,
With lashings o'liquor and bugger'all to do." Then three times round spun our gallant ship,
Says he, "Wha'd'yer say, lad, will you jump her too?" And three times round spun she;
Says I, "You old bastard, I'm damned if I do." Three times round spun our gallant ship,
And she sank to the bottom of the sea!
But the best of intentions, they never goes far.
After thirty two days at the door of a bar
I tossed off me liquor and what do you think?
New York Girls
That rotten old bastard had drugs in me drink. As I walked down the Broadway One evening in July
I met a maid who asked me trade And a sailor John says I.
The next I remember, I woke in the morn To Tiffany's I took her I did not mind expense
On a three skys'l yarder bound south round Cape Horn. I bought her two gold earrings And they cost me fifteen cents
With an old suit of oilskins and two pairs of socks And away, you Santee My dear Annie
And a bloomin' great head and a dose of the pox. O, you New York Girls Can't you dance the Polka?

Now all you young sailors take a warnin' by me. Says she, "You Limejuice sailor Now see me home you may"
Keep and eye on yer drinks when the liquor is free. But when we reached her cottage door She this to me did say.
And pay no attention to runner or whore "My flash man he's a Yankee With his hair cut short behind
When your hat's on your head and your feet's on the shore He wears a pair of long sea-boots And he sails in the Blackball
Line”
The Mermaid
He's homeward bound this evening And with me he will stay
The ocean waves do roll And the stormy winds do blow So get a move on, sailor-boy Get cracking on your way"
And we poor sailors go skippin' at the top So I kissed her hard and proper Afore her flash man came
While the landlubbers lie down below, below, below, And fare ye well, me Bowery gal I know your little game
The landlubbers lie down below!
I wrapped me glad rags round me And to the docks did steer
It was Friday morn when we set sail, I'll never court another maid I'll stick to rum and beer.
And we were not far from the land I joined a Yankee blood-boat And sailed away next morn
When our Captain he spied a mermaid so fair Don't ever fool around with gals You're safer off Cape Horn
With a comb and a glass in her hand.
 9
Paddy Doyle’s Boots Somethin' for to drive away dull care, (Care, care)

T’me way-ay-ay yah! So down upon me knees I went like thunder, (Thunder)
We'll pay Paddy Doyle for his boots! Put me hand into the bottom of the box, (Box, box)
We'll all drink brandy and gin! An' what wuz there to my great surprise an' wonder, (Wonder)
We'll all shave under the chin! Found only a bottle of medicine for the pox, (Pox, pox)
We'll all throw dirt at the cook!
Who stole poor Paddy Doyle's boots! So I asked the mate, "Which watch was mine-O."(mine-oh)
The dirty ol' man's on the poop! He said he'd show me which watch was which.(which, which)
We'll bouse 'er up and be done! So he knocked me down and kicked me in the stern-O (the
stern-o).
Paddy Lay Back Calling me, "a dirty lousy son-of-a-bitch."(bitch, bitch)
'Twas a cold an' dreary mornin' in December (December)
An' all of me money it was spent, (Spent, spent) Now I wish that I was in the Jolly Sailor (sailor)
Where it went to, Lord I can't remember (Remember) along with Irish Kitty drinkin’ beer (beer, beer)
So down to the shipping office I went, (Went, went) I’d think what a jolly lot was sailors (sailors)
and with me flipper I’d wipe away me tear (tear, tear)
Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take in the slack (take in the slack) But here I am off again to sea boys (sea boys)
Take a turn around yer capstan, heave a pawl (heave a pawl) It’s the same old bloody business over again (again, again)
'Bout ship, stations, boys, be handy, (be handy) So stamp the capstan round and make some noise boys (noise
We’re bound for Valapariso ‘round the horn boys)
And sing to me the jolly old refrain. (frain, frain)
That day there was a great demand for sailors, (For sailors)
For the colonies and for Frisco and for France (France, Pleasant and Delightful
France) It was pleasant and delightful one midsummer's morn
So I shipped aboard a Limey barque the Hotspur (The When the fields and the meadows were all covered in corn
Hotspur) And the blackbirds and thrushes sang on every green spray
An' got paralytic drunk on my advance, ('Vance, 'vance) And the larks they sang melodious at the dawning of the day
And the larks they sang melodious (3x) at the dawning of the
I woke up in the mornin' sick an' sore, sir (Sore sir) day
An' I knew that I was outward bound again, (Bound again)
When I heard a voice a-bawlin' at the door, sir (The door, sir) A sailor and his true love were a'walking one day
"Lay aft, men, an' answer to yer names !", (Names, names) Said the sailor to his truelove I am bound far away
I am bound for the East Indies where the load cannons roar
It was on the quarter deck when first I saw them (saw them) I must go and leave my Nancy, (3x) she's the girl that I adore
Such an ugly bunch I’d never seen before (‘fore, ‘fore)
There was a bum and a stiff in every quarter (quarter) Then the ring from off her finger she instantly drew
And it made me poor old heart so sick and sore (sore, sore) Saying, Take this my dearest William and my heart will go too
And whilst he stood embracing her tears from her eyes fell
There wuz Spaniards & Dutchmen & Roo-si-ans (Roo-si-ans) Saying, May I go along with you, (3x) o no, my love, farewell
And Johhny Crapeaus jest across from France (France,
France) So it's fare thee well my Nancy, I can no longer stay
And none of 'em could speak a word of English (English) For the topsail is hoisted and the anchor aweigh
But they'd answer to the name of "Month's Advance" (vance, And the ship lies awaiting for the next flowing tide
vance) And if ever I return again, (3x) I will make you my bride

Well I knew that in my box I had a bottle, (A bottle)

By the boardin'-master 't was put there, ('t was put there)
An' I needed something for to wet me throttle, (Me throttle)
10
Pump Me Boys
They say life has its ups and downs
Roll the Old Chariot Along
That really now is quite profound Oh, a drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm (3X)
I'd like to push the capstan round And we'll all hang on behind.
But its pump me boys before we drown.
So we'll roll the old chariot along (3X)
Pump me boys, pump her dry An' we'll all hang on behind!
Down to hell and up to the sky
Bend your back and break your bones Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm
We're just a thousand miles from home. O a roll in the clover wouldn’t do us any harm
Oh, a long spell in gaol wouldn't do us any harm
The ocean we all do adore Oh, a nice watch below wouldn't do us any harm
So come on boys let's pump some more Oh, a round on the house wouldn't do us any harm
Don't worry if your stiff and sore (ad infinitum…)
I'm sure we've pumped this bit before.
Rolling Down to Old Maui
Sometimes when I am in me bed
And thinking of me day ahead Rolling down to old Maui, my boys,
I wish that I could wake up dead Rolling down to old Maui.
But pumpin's all I get instead. We're homeward bound from the arctic ground
Rolling home to old Maui.
Yes, how I wish that I could die
The swine who built this tub to find It's a damned tough life, full of toil and strife
I'd bring him back from where he fries We whalermen undergo.
And pump him till the beggar's dry. And we don't give a damn when the gale has stopped
How hard the wind did blow.
If Noah used him for his ark We're homeward bound! 'Tis a grand old sound
Now wouldn't that have been a lark On a good ship taut and free,
From rising sun till getting dark And we don't give a damn when we drink our rum
The animals all hard at work. With the girls on old Maui.

The captain's daughter I suppose Once more we sail with a northerly gale
Could be called an English Rose Through the ice and sleet and rain.
What would you think when I propose And them coconut fronds in them tropic lands
The pox she gave to me a dose. We soon shall see again.
Six hellish months we've passed away In the cold Kamchatka
This rose well she did prick me sore sea,
I never felt so bad before And now we're bound from the arctic ground,
Thanks to the girl i did adore Rolling down to old Maui.
I thought I'd never pump no more.
We'll heave the lead where old Diamondhead
I called the doctor right away Looms up on old Oahu.
To find out what he had to say Our mast and yards are sheathed with ice
That's two pound ten get on your way And our decks are hid from view.
I'm sure this girl is in his pay. The horrid tiles of the sea-cut ice That deck the Arctic Sea
Are miles behind in the frozen wind Since we steered for old
There's so much water down below Maui.
Just how it got there I don't know
The old man says let's roll and go How soft the breeze of the tropic seas Now the ice is far
But I think we're bound for Davey Jones. astern,
 11
And them native maids in them island glades Are awaiting our
return. So for one last trip from port I'll ship but next time back I'm
Even now their big black eyes look out swearing
Hoping some fine day to see I'll settle down in my hometown and go no more seafaring
Our baggy sails running 'fore the gales Rolling down to old
Maui. Sam's Gone Away
And now we sail with a favoring gale towards our island I wish I was a cabin boy, aboard a man o'war!
home.
Our mainmast sprung, our whaling done, Sam's gone away, aboard a man o'war!
And we ain't got far to roam. Pretty work, brave boys,Pretty work, I say!
Our stuns'l booms are carried away Sam's gone away, aboard a man o'war!
What care we for that sound? A living gale is after us,
Thank God we're homeward bound! I wish I was the captain, aboard a man o'war!
I wish I was the bos'n, aboard a man o'war!
And now we're anchored in the bay With the Kanakas all I wish I was a gunner, aboard a man o'war!
around You'll never be a hero, aboard a man o'war!
With chants and soft aloha oesThey greet us homeward I Wish I were an Admiral, lounging in Whitehall!
bound. Etc. etc. etc...
And now ashore we'll have good fun We'll paint them beaches
red The Shanghaied Dredger
Awaking in the arms of a wahine With a big fat aching head. Upon the far-off Eastern Shore an oyster dredger lay
With the seat worn out of his oilskin pants, his hat had blown
away
Sailor’s Prayer (Tom Lewis)
His clothes were rather seedy, and his chance he knew was slim
This dirty town has been my home since last time I was Of ever reaching Baltimore in the pungy he was in
sailing
But I'll not stay another day, I'd sooner be out whaling Then lay me in the forepeak with my face toward Baltimore
Saying I'll never get shanghaied again out on the Eastern Shore
Oh Lord above, send down a dove, Where they feed you on corn dog and sourbelly twice a day
With beak as sharp as razors And you're counted a lucky dredger if you ever get your pay
To cut the throat of them there blokes
What sells bad beer to sailors In spirit he could fancy himself in a restaurant again
Ordering plates of liver for himself and Shorty McClean
Paid off me score and then ashore, me money soon was The dredgers stood around him, their eyes could scarcely see
flying From drinking five cent whisky, oh what a glorious spree
With Judy Lee upon my knee and in my ear a lying
Our steward he was a coloured man, the best cook in the fleet
With my newfound friends, my money spent just as fast as At making india rubber bread he never could be beat
winking His shadow soup was excellent, and on a Christmas day
But when I make to clean the slate, the landlord says, "Keep We'd eat dead duck that he'd pick up while sailing dow the Bay
Drinking"
It was on one chilly evening after working all the day
With me money gone and clothes in pawn and Judy set for Our captain spied with his telescope the police sloop far away
leaving With sails trimmed aft and topsails set our gallant pungy flew
Six months of pay gone in three days, but Judy isn't grieving Over to the forbidden ground to catch a jag or two

When the crimp comes round, I'll take his pound But scarce we'd started working when the police sloop hove in
and his hand I'll be shaking sight
Tomorrow morn sail for the Horn just as dawn is breaking "Haul down your jib" was his command, and then began the fight
12
The captain hauled his pistol out as the sloop to round us And as you wallop round Cape Horn,
tried You'll wish to Christ you'd never been born!
But we raised our dredge and made away upon the foggy tide
In South Australia Skylab fell
Six Feet of Mud (Cyril Tawney) Fifteen Billion, Shot to hell!

Roll on the drums, oh! me time has come Oh, rock and roll me over boys,
Let's get it over with before I start to hum in Let's get this damn job over boys.

Six Feet of mud, six feet of mud,

Nine fathoms of water and six feet of mud.
Spanish Ladies
Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish ladies,
Haul down the flag and sew up the bag Farwell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain;
One consolation-the wife can't nag me in For we've received orders for to sail to old England;
But we hope in a short time to see you again.
Fire the last salute and slide me down the chute We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors,
But don't send me overboard in me tiddly suit into We'll rant and we'll roar across the salt seas,
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England,
Sound the last post and pray for me ghost From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
For in three day's time I'll be washed up on the coast
Then we hove our ship to with the wind at sou'west, boys,
There's a billet to let and I hope you don't forget We hove our ship to, for to strike soundings clear;
To break the news to Greenburgh's I'm in Crown debt We got soundings in ninety-five fathom, and boldly
Up the channel of old England our course we did steer.
In a year on this tub it's me first green rub
And there ain't a man among you can do me a sub Now the first land we made it is called the Deadman,
Then, Ramshead off Plymouth, Start, Portland, and Wight;
I said to the doc "It's a race against the clock We passed by Beechy, by Fairleigh and Dungeness,
'Cos in three hours time we'll be in dry dock without the And hove our ship to, off South Foreland Light.

South Australia Then a signal was made for the grand fleet to anchor,
All in the Downs, that night for to meet
In South Australia I was born! Then stand by your stoppers, let go your shank-painters,
Heave away! Haul away! Haul all your clew garnets, stick out tacks and sheets.
South Australia round Cape Horn!
We're bound for South Australia! Now let every man drink off his full bumper
Let every man toss off his full bowls;
Haul away you rollin’ kings We'll drink and be jolly, and drown melancholy,
T’me heave away! Haul away! So here's a good health to all true-hearted souls!
“Haul away,” you’ll hear me sing,
We’re ‘bound for south Australia

As I walked out one morning fair,

It's there I met Miss Nancy Blair.

I shook her up, I shook her down,

I shook her round and round the town.

There ain't but one thing grieves my mind,

It's to leave Miss Nancy Blair behind.
 13
Strike the Bell Can't get steam for the fire in the flue"
Stowing sugar in the hold below
Up on the poop deck and walking all about,
There is the second mate so steady and so stout; The captain's on the quarter deck
What he is a-thinkin' of he doesn't know himself Scratchin' 'way at his old neck
And we wish that he would hurry up and strike, strike the And he cries out, "Heave the larboard lead"
bell. Stowing sugar in the hold below

Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below;

Look ye well to windward you can see it's gonna blow;
Twiddles (Janie Meneely)
Look at the glass, you can see it has fell, When the boats all get to sailing and the men are off and gone
We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell. What about the women who are up and left alone
Do you think they sit and twiddle thumbs until their men come
Down on the main deck and workin' at the pumps, home
There is the larboard watch just longing for their bunks; Ha! There's other things to twiddle when a girl's left on her own.
Look out to windward, you can see a great swell,
And we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the And it's twiddly-i dee-i dee-i, twiddly-i dee-ay
bell. Well it's oftentimes a man will leave you broken with dismay
And it's twiddly-i dee-i dee-i, twiddly-i dee-ay
Forward on the forecastle head and keepin' sharp lookout, But there's other things to twiddle when your man has sailed
There is Johnny standin', a-longin' fer to shout, away.
“Lights' a-burnin' bright sir and everything is well,”
And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike Well, I remember Nancy, she was young and she was gay
the bell. She won the heart of Captain Dan until he sailed away
He left her high and dry with just a kiss upon the chin
Aft at the wheelhouse old Anderson stands, But as his ship went sailing out, another ship sailed in.
Graspin' at the helm with his frostbitten hands,
Lookin' at the compass through the course is clear as hell And then there was Lucinda Brown, as fair as any maid
And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike Her truelove went a voyaging, a sailorman by trade
the bell. "Oh, keep the fire burning, love," those are the words he spoke
So she found herself another man to keep that fire stoked.
Aft on the quarter deck our gallant captain stands,
Lookin' out to windward with a spyglass in his hand, Lucy Jeffers man came back and knocked upon the door
What he is a-thinkin' of we know very well, She was as glad to see him as she'd ever been before
He's thinkin' more of shortenin' sail than strikin' the bell. He left her sleeping in the bed, but Lucy didn't care
Cuz the poor guy in the closet sure could use a little air.
Sugar in the Hold Below
Oh you hear a lot of stories 'bout the sailors and their sport
I wish I was in Mobile Bay, screwing cotton all of the day About how every sailor has a girl in every port
But I'm stowing sugar in the hold below, But if you added two and two, you'd figure out right quick
Below, below, below It's just because the girls all have a lad on every ship.
Hey, ho, below, below Stowing sugar in the hold below
Hey, ho, below, below Stowing sugar in the hold below

The J.M. White, she's a new boat

Stem to stern she's mighty fine
Beat any boat on the New Orleans line
Stowing sugar in the hold below

The engineer shouts through his trumpet

"Tell the mate we got bad news.
14
Whiskey, O, Johnny, O I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight.
Whiskey is the life of man She said "I have whiskey and wines of the best
I'll drink whiskey when I can, And the words that I spoke sure were only in jest."

Whiskey, O, Johnny, O I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done

John rise her up from down below. And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey,O And if they forgive me as ofttimes before
Up aloft this yard must go, Sure I never will play the wild rover no more.
John rise her up from down below.

I like whiskey hot and strong,

Credits:
I'll drink whiskey all day long. Editor Emeritus: Lynn Title
Whiskey made my mother cry Template: Don Stallone
Of whiskey she was always shy. Editor: Vince Wilding.
Email additions, deletions and changes to:
[email protected]
Champagne is good, and so is rum
And beer is good enough for some. Thanks to the artists and their estates who have given their
permission to include their works, especially:
I'll drink it hot, I'll drink it cold
I'll drink it new, I'll drink it old. Tom Lewis (www.TomLewis.net)
Janie Meneely (www.JanieMeneely.com)
Cyril Tawney (www.CyrilTawney.co.uk)
Whiskey made me sell my coat,
Whiskey's what keeps me afloat.
Remember, this is FOLK music, there are no mistakes, only
Whiskey killed my sister Sue stylings. Folks may be singing completely different lyrics than
Whiskey killed my brother, too. are in this hymnal. These lyrics aren’t actually rules, more like
guidelines…
Some likes whiskey, some likes beer
I wish I had a barrel here.

Whiskey made the bosun call

Hang together one and all.

Whiskey stole me brains away

One more pull and we'll belay!

Wild Rover
I've been a wild rover for many a year
And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer
And now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more.
And it's no, nay, never;(!!!) No nay never no more,(!!)
Will I play the wild rover,(!) No never no more

I went to an ale-house I used to frequent

And I told the landlady my money was spent.
I asked her for credit, she answered me "nay
Such a custom as yours I could have any day."
 15

LIGHT FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE The Diamond

(Bob Zentz/Traditional) The Diamond is a ship my boys, for
Greenland she is bound
When the daylight fades and the shadows And the quay it is all garnished with bonny
fall lassies 'round
Let the light from the lighthouse shine on The captain gives the order to sail the
me ocean wide
And the weather watch spies a coming Where the sun it never sets my lads, no
squall darkness dims the tide
Let the light from the lighthouse shine on . CHORUS
me So cheer up my lads let your hearts never
And the sun sinks low in a troubled sea fail
Let the light from the lighthouse shine on While the bonnie ship, the Diamond goes
me fishin' for the whale
And the night winds blow and the rain falls
free Along the quay at Peterhead, the lassies
Let the light from the lighthouse shine on stand around
me With their shawls about their heads and salt
tears runnin' down
Oh shine on me, shine on me I'll never weep my bonny lad though I'm left
Let the light from the lighthouse shine on behind
me For there's not a rose on Greenland's ice to
Shine on me, oh, shine on me make you change your mind
Let the light from the lighthouse shine on . CHORUS
me
Here's a health to the resolution likewise the
Oh the clouds boil black and the wind will Eliza Swan
wail A health to the Battle of Montrose and the
Let the light... Diamond ship of fame
And you're caught in the teeth of a living They wear the trousers of the white the
gale jackets of the blue
Let the light... When they return to Peterhead they'll find
And then your sailor's heart is filled with fear
Let the light... that we've been true
When the sound of the surf on the rocks is . CHORUS
near
Let the light... It'll be bright both day and night when the
Greenland lads come home
Then the wind drops off and the sea's With a ship that's full of oil my lads and
becalmed money to their name
But the fog is thickest before the dawn They'll make the cradles for to rock and the
Then the new sun burns that fog away blankets for to tear
From the darkest night comes the brightest And every lass in Peterhead sing hush-a-
day bye my dear
When your ship is safe in port again . CHORUS
You can thank the keeper, you can thank
the flame
 16

Whiskey in the Jar And if he’ll come and save me, we’ll go
roving near Killkenny,
As I was going over the far fames Kerry And I swear he’ll treat me better than
mountains me darling sportling Jenny
I met with Captain Farrell and his money Chorus:
he was counting. Now some men take delight in the
I first produced my pistol, and then drinking and the roving,
produced my rapier. But others take delight in the gambling
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold and the smoking.
deceiver, But I take delight in the juice of the
Chorus: barley,
Musha ring dumma do damma da And courting pretty fair maids in the
Whack for the daddy ‘ol morning bright and early.
Whack for the daddy ‘ol Chorus
There’s whiskey in the jar
Come for to Sing
I counted out his money, and it made a
pretty penny. Chorus:
I put it in my pocket and I took it home to Some come to work, while others to play,
Some come in evening, to pass time away;
Jenny. Some come to laugh, Their voices to ring;
She said and she swore, that she never But as for me, I come for to sing.
would deceive me, but the devil take the
women, for they never can be easy. We know our friends, And we know our
Chorus: foes, We know who'll be there,
I went into my chamber, all for to take a In times of woe. We went a sailing, Our ship
slumber, went to sink, Some come for singing, We
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure come for to drink,
it was no wonder.
But Jenny took my charges and filled Chorus
them with water,
When I was a young man, I strayed far
Then sent for captain Ferrel to be ready from home, I joined the King's navy, To
for the slaughter. ramble and roam; But now that I'm older,
Chorus: The one thing I've found, Is that home never
It was early in the morning, as I rose up leaves you, When good friends are around.
for travel,
The guards were all around me and Chorus
likewise captain Farrel.
I first produced my pistol, for she stole
away my rapier,
But I couldn’t shoot the water so a
prisoner I was taken.
Chorus:
If anyone can aid me, it’s my brother in
the army,
If I can find his station down in Cork or
in Killarny.
 17

Rosabella Blowed and Torn

One Monday morning in the month of May, When I was just a little boy searching for my
One Monday morning in the month of May, way
I thought I heard the Old Man say, I remember how I filled with pride to hear
"The Rosabella will sail today." my father say
Chorus Your dreams are like the main sail set high
And I'm going on board the Rosabella, above the mast
I'm going on board the Rosabella, And you run before that living wind as long
I'm going on board, right down to board as dreams can last
The saucy Rosabella. Chorus:
My sails are blown and torn, been laid down
She's a deep-water ship with a deep-water wet
crew, They need all the mendin' that they can get
She's a deep-water ship with a deep-water No time to be attending on these winds alive
crew, today
You can stick to the coast but I'll be damned Me sails are worn and weathered and I'm
if we do bound to go my way
On board the Rosabella. I grew up and went to school, to learn that
Chorus dreams ain't real
All around Cape Horn in the month of May, They taught me how to calculate, hide the
All around Cape Horn in the month of May, things I feel
All around Cape Horn is a bloody long way I know they didn't mean no harm, but this
On board the Rosabella. their learning said
Chorus That a man's a man in this here world, and
Them Bowry girls will make me grieve, if you dream you're dead
Them Bowry girls will make me grieve, (Chorus)
They've spent all my money, they'll make For many years now I have been living in
me leave my dreams
On board the Rosabella. Reality confuses me with its many schemes
Chorus So I'll take that weathered tapestry that's
One Monday morning in the month of May, folded in my soul
One Monday morning in the month of May, And run before the living wind with all the
I thought I heard the Old Man say, love I know
"The Rosabella will sail today." (Chorus, first softer, then louder)
 18

WE'RE HERE TO DRINK THE WHISKEY

Captain Silver commandeered half the Now she was a fishmonger and sure twas
Spanish fleet, no wonder
A dozen brigs and fishing rigs to make the For so were her mother and father before
day complete. And they each wheeled their barrows
Then ashore to a dusty tavern with his Through streets broad and narrow
weary, thirsty crew, Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive
Crying, "Landlord! Throw away the cork! oh"
We'll likely have a few!"
She died of a faver and no one could save
CHO: Singing: We're all here to drink the her
whiskey. And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
We're all here for nothing less. Now her ghost wheels her barrow
Raise your glass and toast your neighbor, Through streets broad and narrow
Turn and toast the rest. Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive
For it's one, two, three rounds, oh"
We're hellish glad we're here.
We're here to drink the whiskey
And then we'll drink the beer. Wild Mountain Thyme
O the summer time is comin'
Lord Faversham of Henley took his And the trees are sweetly bloomin'
pleasure, one might say, And the wild mountain thyme
From serving sherry in the garden in the Grows around the bloomin' heather
evening of the day.
Will ye go lassie go?
He shared with the cooks and
chambermaids his hospitality, Chorus:
'Til eventually there were seventeen and And we'll all go together
two at four for tea. CHO. To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the bloomin' heather
It was four in the morn on New Year's Day, Will ye go lassie go?
we all said our goodnights.
The wife and I fell into bed and snuffed out I will build my love a bower
all the lights. By yon clear, crystal fountain
And just as we were nodding off, came a And on it I will pile,
pounding at the door. All the flowers o' the mountain
In marched MacNamara with a bloody
Will ye go lassie go?
bagpipe corps. CHO.
Chorus:
MOLLY MALONE
If my true love were gone
In Dublin's fair city where girls are so pretty I will surely no other
Twas there that I first met sweet Molly To pull wild mountain thyme,
Malone All around the purple heather
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow Will ye go lassie go?
Through street broad and narrow Chorus: Soft
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive Chorus: Repeat strong
oh"

Alive, alive oh, alive, alive oh,

Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive
oh"
 19

LOCH LOMOND I'm A Rover

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie Though the night be dark as dungeon, not a
braes, star to be seen above
Where the sun shines bright on Loch I will be guided without a stumble, into the
Lomond, arms of me only love.
Where me and my true love were ever won't I went up to her bedroom window, kneeling
to gae gently upon a stone
On the bonnie bonnie banks o' Loch I rapped on her bedroom window "My
Lomond darling dear, do you lie alone"?

O' ye'll tak the high road and I'll tak the low [Chorus:]
road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye; I'm a rover , seldom sober
But me and my true love will never meet I'm a rover of high degree
again, Ans when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
On the bonnie bonnie banks o' loch Lomond How to gain my love's company.

Twas there that we parted in yon shady She raised her head up from her feather
glen, pillow, raised her arms up around her
On the steep steep side o' Ben Lomond, breast,
Where in deep purple hue, the Hieland hills Saying "Who's at me bedroom window,
we view, disturbing me at me long night's rest?
And the moon coming oot in the gloaming. "It's only me, your own true lover, open the
door and please let me in.
&c For I have come on a long night's journey. I
am near drenched to the skin".
The wee birdies sing, and the wild flowers
spring, [Chorus]
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping,
But the broken heart will ken nae second She opened the door with the greatest
spring again,' pleasure, opened the door and she let me in
Though the waefu' may cease fae their We both shook hands and embraced each
greeting other. 'Til the morning we lay as one.
"Well now me love, I must go and leave
&c you, though the mountains be high above
Well, I will climb them with greater pleasure
that I have been with me only love".

[Chorus]
 20

WE'RE HERE TO DRINK THE WHISKEY Chorus

Captain Silver commandeered half the There shall I gaze on the mountains again,
Spanish fleet, On the fields and the woods and the valley
A dozen brigs and fishing rigs to make the and glens,
day complete. Away 'mong the corries beyond human ken
Then ashore to a dusty tavern with his In the haunts of the deer I will roam
weary, thirsty crew, Chorus
Crying, "Landlord! Throw away the cork! There shall I visit the place of my birth
We'll likely have a few!" And they'll give me a welcome the warmest
on earth
CHO: Singing: We're all here to drink the All so loving and kind full of music and
whiskey. mirth,
We're all here for nothing less. In the sweet sounding language of ...
Raise your glass and toast your neighbor, O, chi, chi mi na mòrbheanna,
Turn and toast the rest. O chi, chi mi na còrrbheanna,
For it's one, two, three rounds, O, chi, chi mi na coirreachan
We're hellish glad we're here. Chi mi na sgoran fo cheò.( Repeat)
We're here to drink the whiskey Chorus
And then we'll drink the beer.

Lord Faversham of Henley took his Parting Glass

pleasure, one might say,
From serving sherry in the garden in the Of all the money that ere I had, I spent it in
evening of the day. good company.
He shared with the cooks and And of all the harm that ere I've done, alas
chambermaids his hospitality, was done to none but me.
'Til eventually there were seventeen and And all I've done for want of wit, to memory
two at four for tea. CHO. now I cannot recall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight
It was four in the morn on New Year's Day, and joy be with you all.
we all said our goodnights.
The wife and I fell into bed and snuffed out Oh, if I had money enough to spend and
all the lights. leisure time to sit awhile
And just as we were nodding off, came a There is a fair maid in this town that sorely
pounding at the door. has my heart beguiled
In marched MacNamara with a bloody Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, she alone
bagpipe corps. CHO. has my heart in thrall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight
Mist covered mountains of home and joy be with you all.
Chorus
Ooh rah soon shall I see them; Of all the comrades that e'er I had
He ro see them oh see them. They're sorry for my going away
Oh ro soon shall I see them the And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
Mist covered mountains of home. They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it fell into my lot
Hail to the mountains with summits of blue, That I should rise and you should not
To the fields and the valleys of sunshine I'll gently rise and softly call
and dew. "Good night and joy be to you all"
To the women and men ever constant and
true,
Ever ready to welcome one home.
 21

Health to the Company Bring her head 'round into the weather
Kind friends and companions, come join me in Hail ya ho boys, let her go boys
rhyme Sailing homeward to Mingalay
And lift up your voices in chorus with mine Wives and sweethearts on the hillside
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain Looking seaward through the heather
For we may and might never all meet here again Let her go boys, and we'll anchor
Here's a health to the company and one to my 'Ere the sun sets on Mingalay
lass When the wind is wild with shouting
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass And the waves mount ever higher
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain Anxious eyes turn ever seaward
For we may and might never all meet here again To see us home, boys, to Mingalay
Here's a health to the dear lass that I love so well Sye or Lewis, Mull or Uhist
Her style and her beauty, sure none can excel Tyree, Kull or Vattersea
She smiles on my countenance and sits on me None can call us like our island
knee Our own dear isle of Mingalay
Sure there's no one in Erin as happy as we Longer, longer shall I tarry
Our ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock Where our hearts are both blithe and merry
I hope she's safe landed without any shock Turn her round, boys, and she’ll carry
If ever I meet you by land or by sea Heart to hearth, home and Mingalay
I will always remember your kindness to me
One for the Morning Glory
Last Skipjack (Bob Zentz) At the end of the day, I like a little drink to raise
Fell asleep on deck the other night up me voice and
Last skipjack on the Chesapeake Bay sing
When a ghostly sloop hove into sight And an hour or two with a fine, brown brew and
Last skipjack on the Chesapeake Bay I'm ready for
Had her mast rigged back and her mainsail set anything
Last skipjack on the Chesapeake Bay At the Cross Keys Inn there were sisters four,
And the name on her trailboard I won’t forget the landlord's
(said the) daughters fair
Last skipjack on the Chesapeake Bay And every night when they'd turn out the light I
Chesapeake Bay, whoa, Chesapeake Bay would tiptoe up
Last skipjack on the Chesapeake Bay the stair ...singin'
Chesapeake Bay, oh, Chesapeake Bay One for the morning glory, two for the early dew
Last skipjack on the Chesapeake Bay Three for the man who will stand his round
She was broad in the beam with a shallow draft And four for the love of you, me girl,
Had a trim little push-boat hanging aft Four for the love of you
Now there’s only a dozen work the Bay today I got the call from a foreign shore to go and fight
She’s the last working sailboat in the USA the foe
As I come alongside of her to a mournful song And I thought no more of the sisters four, but
Said my dredges are empty and the oysters gone still I was sad to
Then I awoke as from a dream go
There was a sail on the horizon off the starboard I sailed away on a ship, the Morning Glory was
beam her name
And we'd all fall down when the rum went
The Mingalay Boat Song (Scott Robinson) 'round, then get up
What care we how wild the minch is and start again
What care we for windy weather I bore once more for my native shore, farewell
Hail ya ho boys, every inch is to the raging
Sailing closer to Mingalay seas
Hail ya ho boys, let her go boys
 22

And the Cross Keys Inn, it was beckonin', and Call for the captain ashore, let me go home.
me heart was Let me go home, I wanta go home,
filled with glee Well I feel so break up, I wanta go home.
For there on the shore were the sisters four with First Mate, he got drunk, broke up the people's
a bundle upon trunk,
each knee Constable had to come and take him away.
There were three little girls and a bouncing boy, Sheriff John Stone, why don't you leave me
and they all alone?
looked just like me... Well I feel so break up, I wanta go home.
The poor cook he caught the fits, threw away all
Sailor’s Hymn (Ewan MacColl) my grits,
Come all ye bold seaman wherever you’re Then he took and ate up all of my corn.
bound, Let me go home, I wanta go home,
And always let Nelson’s proud memory go This is the worst trip I've ever been on.
round.
And pray that the wars and the tumult may Yankee Doodle (1812 Version)
cease, The British long have rul'd the Seas,
For the greatest of gifts is a sweet lasting peace. With haughty gasconading,
May the Lord put an end to these cruel old wars, And chaunting songs their Feats of Praise
And bring peace and contentment to all our While others they're degrading.
brave tars. Yankee Doodle, fire away
Cannon loud as thunder
The Saucy Roseabella From brave Decatur, Jones, & Hull,
Oh, we're going on board the Roseabella (2X) Makes Johnny Bull knock under.
We're going on board, right down to board How we can sing & chaunt likewise,
The saucy Roseabella Of Yankee skill in fighting
Farewell ye ladies of London town (2X) Behold, Decatur, with his Prize
We hate to leave, but we're going on down Bold Britons now are striking.
To board the Roseabella The British thought we had not spunk -
She's a deep water ship with a deep water crew To try them on the Ocean;
(2X) But since we've took, & Burnt & Sunk
She could hug the shore, but damned if we do They've got another notion.
Aboard the Roseabella They'll find they've not Monsieur to Meet
Around Cape Horn where the dolphins play (2X) But Yankee Boys of Mettle
Around Cape Horn is a mighty long way Who will their Measure all defeat
Aboard the Roseabella Unless they shortly settle
Pretty Nancy is my love true (2X) To Press our Men they claim the right
She could handle this bully crew But blast their Imposition
Aboard the Roseabella We'll let the rascalls know, we'll fight
Nancy brought whiskey for all the crew (2X) In Preference to submission
She wanted to see which man would do Huzza my Boys we'll fight away
Aboard the Roseabella Until they cry pecarie;
Or, with our well aim'd Yankee play
Sloop John B Soon send them to Old Davy
We come on the Sloop John B, my grandfather
and me.
Around Nassau town we did roam,
Drinking all night, Got into a fight,
Well I feel so break up, I wanta go home.
So hoist up the John B’s sail, see how the
mains'l sets,